Jacksonville, FL (Nov. 19, 2024) – The newest World Poker Tour® champion is Nick Yunis, winning his first major title at bestbet Jacksonville. For claiming first place in the WPT® bestbet Scramble Championship, Yunis earned $347,850, which includes a seat in the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas this December, as well as a Golden Passport to the ClubWPT™ Gold* $5M Invitational Freeroll.
“I still can’t believe it. I’m like, ‘Am I dreaming?’ I’ve been playing for so long and I always wanted to accomplish this… a major title,” said Yunis. “I’m thankful to God, to my supporters, my family that’s watching. My wife couldn’t come because of the baby, but I know they are extremely happy for me and I’m just over the moon.”
The $5,000 buy-in WPT bestbet Scramble Championship drew a field of 361 entrants from two starting flights, generating a prize pool of $1,642,550. The sum paid out the top 46 finishers, all of whom earned WPT Player of The Year points for their cash.
“Thank you to all the players that came out to bestbet Jacksonville, as well as the staff and dealers that helped put on such a fun event,” said WPT CEO Adam Pliska. “Nick made his mark, and we happily welcome him to the WPT Champions Club and look forward to seeing him next month at the WPT World Championship.”
Yunkyu Song, recent winner of WPT Prime Playground in Montreal, finished as the runner-up, earning $252,059. He was preceded by his fellow final tablists three-time WPT Champion Eric Afriat (3rd place – $165,000), Joe Jordan (4th place – $123,000), Nick Funaro (5th place – $93,000), and Dion Jagroo (6th place – $71,000).
Other notable players to cash in the championship event were WPT Commentator and Champion Tony Dunst (16th place), Joe McKeehen (17th place), WPT Champion Vitalijs Zavorotnijs (22nd place), WPT Champion Josh Reichard (30th place), and Dan Stavila (34th place). Both Stavila and Reichard were among a handful of WPT Player of the Year hopefuls that added to their current points totals.
Afriat was awarded 600 POY points for his third-place finish, which would have been enough to top the leaderboard if it were not for Song banking 800 points. Song now sits at the top of the WPT POY leaderboard with 2,200 points.
Photos from the WPT bestbet Scramble Championship can be accessed via the WPT Flickr Page.
For more information regarding this and a list of all upcoming World Poker Tour events, visit WPT.com.
*Terms and conditions apply. Must be 21 or over. There is no purchase necessary to play on ClubWPT Gold. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. For more information regarding events, including how to qualify and location eligibility, visit ClubWPTGold.com.
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About the World Poker Tour®
World Poker Tour® (WPT®) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. WPT has hosted live poker tournaments in 48 countries, drawn more than 400,000 total entries, and awarded more than $1.5 billion in prize money. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show, which has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories and is currently producing its 22nd season. Season XXII of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 47 states and territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. In 2012, the WPT Foundation was launched, which has gone on to raise $45 million over 10 years and 50 events. For more information, go to WPT.com.
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About ClubWPT™ Gold
ClubWPTGold.com is a sweepstakes-based poker club, available in 46 states and territories across the United States. No purchase is necessary for the ClubWPT Gold sweepstakes, and the service is void where prohibited.